MINSK, 10 September (BelTA) – Belarusian Emergencies Minister Vadim Sinyavsky met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Belarus Mustafa Ozcan on 10 September, representatives of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry told BelTA.
Matters concerning the advancement of Belarus-Turkey cooperation in the area of prevention of emergencies and the alleviation of their consequences were discussed during the meeting.
The Belarusian emergencies minister said that Belarus and Turkey are far from each other but they are connected by friendly relations at the interstate level and at the interagency level. Belarusians are concerned about and closely watch the forest fire situation. Three Belarusian helicopters are now in Turkey helping fight the fires. Vadim Sinyavsky invited representatives of Turkey's emergency response and rescue services to visit Belarus for the mutual sharing of experience on key matters. He expressed readiness to sign a cooperation agreement.
In response Mustafa Ozcan noted he views Belarus-Turkey relations as special, close, and trustful. The embassy is working towards raising the contacts to new heights in all spheres, including humanitarian affairs. The ambassador saw fires near the Turkish city of Bodrum with his own eyes this summer. He expressed gratitude for the Belarus president's prompt authorization for sending the third helicopter (a Mi-26) to Turkey to provide emergency aid. He delivered a letter of thanks from the Turkish agriculture and forestry minister and expressed readiness to assist with establishing cooperation with the Emergencies Ministry.
